Two iconic ex-Premier League ‘Barclaysmen’, 43 and 39, score within hours of each other as fans gush ‘game’s not gone’
HUGO RODALLEGA and Roque Santa Cruz both sent fans wild by scoring over the weekend.
Rodallega, 39, is still going strong in his native Colombia – nine years after leaving the Premier League.
While Santa Cruz plays in Paraguay at the age of 43, having left Manchester City in 2013.
Both strikers played a prominent role in the “Barclaysmen” trend that swept social media during the September international break, started by the Cultras Football Podcast.
So when it emerged that they are still doing the business, fans on social media were left thrilled.
Rodallega has played for Santa Fe since 2022 and frequently captains them.
He notched his 14th goal of the season on Sunday during his side’s 2-1 win over Patriotas.
Pointing out his goal, a social media user wrote: “We’re in 2024 and Hugo Rodallega is still banging them in. Great to see.”
To which a second gushed: “The games not gone.”
And a third joked: “wigan legend. now where tf is maynor figueroa, emerson boyce and jordi gomez.”
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Who are these famous footballers?
- I was West Ham captain but I almost went to jail over bankruptcy
- I’m a former Man Utd star and I once stole a girl from Ronaldo
- I’m an ex-Man Utd star – now I own a dog-themed B&B
- I was Thierry Henry’s toughest opponent but quit to become a pastor
- I’m a former Wolves striker but I left football behind to become a vicar
Amazingly, it was then pointed out that Santa Cruz had scored as well.
On Saturday, the ex-Blackburn goal-getter was on the scoresheet as Libertad lost 2-1 against Trinidense.
Despite his advancing years he has played 35 times this season, scoring six goals.
Remarkably, he is not the only veteran striker to play for Libertad.
He is joined up top by Benfica and Paraguay legend Oscar Cardozo, who is two years his junior at 41.
When Cardozo rose off the bench on Saturday, Libertad’s striker duo had a combined age of 83 – along with 44 goals for their country.